Phone Devices For The Hearing Impaired We take the telephone for granted. It is such a common everyday device that we don’t even think twice about how amazing it really is. We pick up the receiver, and with the push of a few buttons, can talk to people all around the world and keep in touch with friends and family. It is an essential tool in the business world. Without the telephone, everyday life would be very different. For the hearing impaired, telephone usage presents a special set of problems. The ease and convenience the most of us take for granted when using the telephone is a little bit harder to achieve for someone with a hearing loss. Fortunately, there are a number of devices and technologies designed to help people with hearing loss easily use the telephone. “T” switch For people wearing a hearing aid, a “T” switch is a convenient and effective way to amplify telephone conversations. Not all hearing aids come with a “T” switch, but they are optional accessories on many models and have advantages beyond telephone use.

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When the hearing aid is switched to “T”, two things happen - the telecoil is turned on and the hearing aid microphone is turned off. The microphone picks up environmental sounds such as voices which, during a telephone conversation, would be distracting. By switching the microphone off, the telephone can be easily used even in a noisy environment.

Bluetooth Wireless Cell Phones / Hearing Aids

One significant technology trend in newer digital hearing aids appears to be the inclusion of Bluetooth wireless technology. This is currently available from two different hearing aid manufacturers (Oticon and Resound) and is about to be released by a third manufacturer (Phonak). If your hearing aids have Bluetooth technology enabled, any sound broadcast from another Bluetooth device such as an MP3 player, cell phone, or microphone can be carried directly to your hearing aids where it is then processed by your individualized amplification programs before you hear the sound. This approach means the sound is not distorted or lost through the presence of background noise or objects between you and the device that is broadcasting the Bluetooth signal.

Phone Amplifiers

For those without a “T” switch on their hearing aid, or for those who do not wear a hearing aid, there are still many options for easing telephone usage. The most basic of these would be a telephone amplifier. This device could be integrated into your home telephone or it could be a portable unit that you can use anywhere. Telephone amplifiers come with a volume control to set the loudness to a suitable level. They can be inserted between the handset and the body of the telephone, or they can be built-in and not require any extra equipment.

Portable amplifiers are battery operated devices which fit over the earpiece of the telephone. They can be taken anywhere and used on any phone. When using a telephone amplifier the receiver should be placed over the hearing aid (if one is worn) rather than over the ear. This allows the hearing aid to pick up the sound signal more directly and results in less background noise.

Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD)

TDD’s are useful for people with severe or total hearing loss. They allow communication via a telephone connection by typing messages on a keyboard and viewing the response on a screen. They were originally developed as teletypewriters (TTY) to transmit news information over the telephone line. They can be used to communicate directly with another TDD, or with a regular voice telephone with a telecommunications relay service.

The telecommunications relay service uses a communication assistant (CA) as an intermediary between someone with a TDD and someone with a regular telephone. Whatever is typed on the TDD is read to the other party by the CA, and the CA uses her own TDD to relay verbal messages back. Many states have a free telecommunications relay service.

Some TDD devices come with a paper printout so that you can keep a permanent record of the conversation. Alternatively, computer software can take the place of a hardware TDD device by connecting a computer to the phone line with a modem.

Text Messages / Instant Messaging

Computers open up a whole new arena for communication. Many of the popular computer applications like e-mail and messenger services (MSN Messenger, AIM, etc.) are ideal for people with hearing impairments. Messenger services are similar to TDD devices for instant communication, and can be configured to send messages to a mobile phone in case of an emergency.

Mobile phones, pagers, and beepers are all good ways to quickly contact anyone – either with or without a hearing disability. Their text capabilities make them ideal devices for instant communication. Another device in this category could include the fax machine. Some fax machines can be direct dialled without waiting for the sound of the dial tone – essential for someone with a hearing loss.

Conclusion

Digital technology is making communication easier all the time. However, when it comes to phone devices for the hearing impaired, the relatively old technology of telecoils is one of the best solutions. Anyone who wears a hearing aid with a “T” switch will find this to be the most convenient and easiest way to communicate by phone.

For people with more severe hearing loss digital technology can literally be a lifesaver. Anyone with a mobile phone can send and receive instant text messages. The convenience of these devices and their widespread use make them ideal for both every day and emergency communication.

Quality hearing aids and Assistive Listening Devices programmed by skilled professionals, like the audiologists at the Hearing Device Center of the California Ear Institute are necessary to creating the optimal listening environment for any individual with hearing impairment. Click here to make an appointment to improve your hearing today !

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